Look What I've Baht

Today was a bit of a milestone: we finally sent the Thai dossier, hooray! 

This was actually my 1 000th photo in my photostream. Coincidence?

Turns out we could have sent it a while ago. I had a round of question-asking with the agency and eventually realized we didn't need to wait for the last of Judith's stuff to come in; the agency can start looking at this and letting me know if I need corrections or additions, and they'll merge it with Judith's when that arrives. 

Also sent away today: what I believe to be the last chunk of money until immigration expenses and travel expenses and post-placement expenses.

So, how much does it cost to adopt from Thailand? I still can't give you that answer, we're not done! But I can tell you what it costs just to apply:

Resources included with item #4

1. Initial consultation with social worker: $120
2. Annual agency membership fee: $50
3. File opening administration fee with agency: $226
4. Retainer with agency, plus resources: $3051 
5. Postage #1 $3.03
6. PRIDE training registration $1582
7. Photos $26
8. Home Study fee $2500
9. Travel expenses for PRIDE ~$1200
10. Local police checks $50
11. RCMP checks $140
12. Calling card to make long-distance inquiries $10
13. Taiwanese police check $6.44 (I love and miss you every day, Taiwanese prices!)
14. Australian police check $120
15. Postage #2 $9.08
16. Psychological assessment $500
17. Thai embassy fees $97.50
18. Back-up copies of dossier $2.38
19. Postage #3 $19.31
20. The Big One: Dossier submission to agency: $12 126.00

Grand Total: $21 838.74

Again, this is just to apply. If we're not good enough, we don't get a cent of this back. No pressure, or anything, eh?

Now, as I go off to check the change slots of the parking machines in the garages downtown, and maybe take my scuba gear into the fountain at Confederation Basin there, would you do me a small favour and wish our little dossier well? Think happy thoughts for it and for the total strangers who will be receiving it shortly.